Bombing apparatus



BOMBING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 28, 1956 FIG.

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. INVENTOR 40 GOTTFRIED K.GANTSCHN|GG ATTORNEY May 24, 1960 G. K.GANTscHNlGG 2,937,573

BOMBING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

Filed June 28, 1956 INVENToR GOTTFRIED K. GANTSCHNIGG ATTORNEY May-"24,1960 G. K. GANTscHNlGG 2,937,573

BOMBING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 28, 1956 FIG.

INVENTOR GOTTFRIED K. GANTSCHNIGG TTORN EY May 24 1960 G. K. GANTscHNlGG2,937,573

BOMBING APPARATUS Filed June 28, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. I8

INVENTOR GOTTFRIED K. GANTSCHNIGG oMlNG APPARATUS Filed June 28, 1956,Ser. No. 594,473- 7 claims. (ci. sal-1.5)

The present invention relates to apparatus for carrying and` releasingbombs and other stores from high-speed aircraft, and more particularlyto an improved bomb bay structure and allied apparatus for dischargingbombs or similar stores from aircraft traveling at high speeds,utilizing a retro-bombing technique.

Inconventional aircraft, bombs or like stores are generally housedwithin a bomb bay, and are attachedv by suitable shackles to the innerstructure of the aircraft. The fuselage of the aircraft' is typicallyprovided with a pair Aof bomb bay doors adapted to pivot outwardly toform an opening through which the bombs or stores may be dropped.Thisarra'ngement, while generally satisfactory for conventionalaircraft, operating at subsonic speeds, is undesirable for aircraftoperating in the trani sonic or supersonic regimes, since the relativelylarge opening in the bottom of the fuselage causes ank extremelyturbulent llo-W of air in high-speedV flight. Thus, it has ,been foundthat at supersonic- Speeds the air turbulence in and around the bomb bayopening is such that bombs released from their shackles in' ordinaryfashion will tumble around inside the bomb bay and will not bereleasedproperly from the aircraft. In addition. to being .an extremelydangerous condition, tumbling of the bombs bythe turbulent air flowintroduces large errors into the otherwise accurately timed release ofthe bombs. Moreover, ,thelarge bomb bay` opening and the protruding bombbay doors result in a substantial increase in drag at` high speeds,tending to slow the aircraft during a criticalbombinglrun;

..Various arrangements have been suggested for reducing the turbulenceand drag of the open bomb bayaty high speeds, one' such suggestedarrangement being shown and described in the Woollens et al. UnitedStates Patent No.f2,634,656, which is assigned to the assignee of thepresentinvention. lIn this patent', the use of a rotatable b Ombbay dooris i-llustrated, with the bombs mounted directly upon the door. Thebombs are readied for release by rotating the door through 180 degrees,but even this arrangementiis not always entirely satisfactory for use inextremely high-speed aircraft.

l .The present invention provides an improved bomb bay structure whichminimizes drag and turbulence when in an open position whereby bombs orother stores may be t effectively discharged from an aircraft moving atsupersonic'speeds. The new bo-mb bay apparatus or structure is designedto close smoothlyv and tightly against the bottom of the fuselage duringnormal flight, and to create a minimum disturbance in the turbulent airflow about the aircraft when the bomb bay is open for the discharge ofbombs or stores. Moreover, whereas conventional bomb bay apparatus issuch as to cause the bombs to tumble about in the bomb bay after releaseof the bombs at high speed, the new apparatus utilizes the force of theair flowing about the plane to assist in the discharge of the bombs. orstores therefrom.

' In the design of modern high-speed aircraft, it iswdesirable toprovide a fuselage of minimum cross-section.

limited States Varent Accordingly, the present invention provides a bombbay structure and allied apparatus by means Aof -which a load of bombsor stores may be carried in a practical minimum of space within theaircraft. Thus, the bomb bay of the present invention is generally inthe form of.l a tube, with the bomb load carried on the walls of thetube and adapted for discharge in a direction longitudinally of thetube. As will be more apparent upon' reference to the followingdescription, this arrangement'provides for a concentrated loading of thebombs or stores. in a small space in the fuselage of the aircraftWithoutint'erfering in any way with the proper discharge of the load.

The present invention also provides ari-,improved arrangement fordischargingA bombs orstores'infa longitudinal direction from a tubularbombbay housing, in which means are`r attached tothe bombs orY storesfor guiding and'supprting them until theyxare properly re: leased fromthe aircraft. Meansi are also provided "for freeing the bombsy or storesof the guide means substantially` immediately7^ following the release ofthe. bombs or stores from -the aircraft, so that proper free .fall ofthe objects thus discharged is afforded.

In certain instances', to improve the accuracy of dro' ping bombs orstoresv at high speeds, it 'is .desirable to eject the bombs from thevaircraft at a substantial rearward velocity relative to the aircraft.Accordingly, the invention further provides an improved arrangementadaptedv for incorporation in modern high-speed aircraft, for eject'-ing the bombs or stores therefrom at a substantial rearward velocity. Iy

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent uponfull consideration of the following detailed descriptionanduaccompanying drawings inwhich:l Fig. 1 is a simpliiedrepresentation. cifamodern highspeed aircraft incorporati'ng theimproved'apparatus of the present invention; t

Fig. 2 is an enlarged'fragmentary longitudinal 'crosssection takenthroughl the aircraft of Fig. 1, and illustrating the bomb bay of thepresent invention; v

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal' section view similar to Fig. 2'but showingvthe bomb bay in an open position; 1

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4 4 of Fig.2; i

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional erally along line 55r of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view ofthe bomb door of Figs. 2and 3 supporting a single large-'size bomb or stores container;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional'vew ofthe bomb door supportingfour smaller size bombs or stores containers;

Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 8-8 and 9 9,respectively, of Figs. .6 an'd"7, respectively;

Fig. l0 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view ofthe bomb doorsupporting a large number ofsmall-size bombs or stores containers;

Fig. 1l is a cross-sectional view taken along linel'l-lllv ofFig. 10; Ql

'F-ig. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View ofthe bomb doorillustrating the manner in which' `a bomb or stores container isdischarged therefrom; H

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectionalview of means used forsupporting and Vguiding Ya bomb or stores container in the bomb door; v

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary .crosS-sectionalfview of anotherarrangement for supportingy the bomb or stores container; l

Fig. 15 is an enlarged' fragmentary viewiof afgui'ding and supportingbracket ,used in connectiorrfwiththe ne'w bomb bay apparatus and havingan explosive bolt for review taken genleasing the bracket upon dischargeof the bombs or stores containers;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an improved mechanismemployed with the new bomb bay apparatus for discharging bombs or storescontainers at a substantial rearward velocity relative to the aircraft;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary end elevation, partly in section of themechanism of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, with parts broken away,showing a modified form of the new apparatus;

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig.18,'with the bomb door in a loading position; and

Fig. 20 isa cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 19.

Referring initially to Figs. 1 5, the numeral 10 designates generally amodern high-speed aircraft capable of supersonic flight. The aircrafthas a bomb bay 11 in the lower side of its fuselage, the bomb bay beingconstructed in accordance with the invention and illustrated in moredetail in Figs. 2 through 5.

The aircraft 10 has a pair of spaced bulkheads 12, 13 located in themidsection of the fuselage and dening end walls of a bomb bay enclosure14. An upper wall completes the bomb bay enclosure, and generallyisolates it from the interior of the aircraft. In the illustrated formof the invention, the upper wall 15 of the bomb bay includes shortvertically extending side wall portions 15a, upwardly and inwardlyextending wall portions 15b and a generally horizontal top wall portion15e. The side wall portions 15a extend along the opposite side walls ofthe aircraft fuselage and terminate at the bottom wall thereof to definea bomb bay opening 16. The aft end of the bomb bay opening 16 is definedgenerally by the bulkhead 13, while the forward end of the opening isdefined by a rearwardly projecting wall portion 17 of the aircraftfuselage. A recess 18 is formed about the entire perimeter of the bombbay opening 16 and receives a sealing element 19 lying somewhat belowthe outer surface of the aircraft.

Received within the bomb bay enclosure 14 is a bombcarrying door 20 tocontain the bombs (or stores) to be dropped. The door 20 is of a shapevconforming generally with the interior of the enclosure V14, and havinga bottom wall 21 with contours conforming to those of the aircraft 10,and forming a continuation of the aircraft contours when the door is ina retracted position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The bottom wall 21 hasange portions 21a about its four edges which project beyond the generaloutlines of the door and are adapted to be received in the recesses 18when the door 20 is in a retracted position. The anges 21a firmly engagethe sealing element 19 to form therewith an air-tight or liquidtightseal.

Projecting forwardly from the sides of the door 20 are spaced arms 23which are pivoted to the forward bulkhead 12 by means of pins 24supported by spaced brackets 25. The arrangement is such that the bombdoor 20 may be pivoted between retracted and open positions, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, respectively; and, in accordance with the teachings ofthe invention, the pivotal axis dened by the pins 24 is spaced forwardlyof the front bottom wall flange 21a.

As shown in Figs. 3 5, the bomb door 20 has an upper wall 26 includingvertical side wall portions 26a, upward-ly and inwardly extending wallportions 26h and a horizontal top wall portion 26e, the arrangementbeing such that the wall 26 closely conforms with the Wall 15 of thebomb bay enclosure when the bomb door 20 is in a retracted position. Theforward end of the bomb door 20 is reinforced by suitable framework, notspecifically indicated, and provides an opening for reloading the doorfrom the forward end. The aft end of the door 20 is also open, as shownin Figs. 4 and 5.

Mounted on the bulkhead 13, and projecting forwardly therefrom, is a pin28 which pivotally mounts a pair of arms 29, 30. The arms 29, 30 arepivotally connected at their free ends to supporting links 31, 32,respectively, which are in turn pivotally connected to the bomb door 20,at the aft end thereof.

A pair of hydraulic cylinders 33, 34 are mounted on the top wall 15e ofthe bomb bay enclosure and are connected to the arms 29, 30,respectively, Vthe arrangement being such that upon retraction of theactuators 33, 34 the arms 29, 30 will be pivoted upwardly about the pin28, and upon extension of the actuators the arms 29, 30 will be pivoteddownwardly about the pin 28. When the arms 29, 30 are drawn upwardlythey act through the links 31, 32 to draw the aft end of the bomb door20 upwardly into a retracted position, as shown in Figs. 2 `and 4. Whenthe cylinders 33, 34 are fully retracted, the anges 21a about the bottomwall 21 of the bomb door are urged firmly against the sealing element 19to effectively seal the bomb bay opening 16. When the actuators arefully extended, the arms 29, 30 are brought into alignment with thelinks 31, 32, substantially in the manner indicated in Fig. 5, so thatthe open aft end of the bomb door is lowered to lie completely outsideof the bomb bay 14. The arms 29, 30 and links 31, 32 are so proportionedthat when the actuators 33, 34 a`re extended the aligned arms and linkslie approximately in the angularly disposed planes of the wall portions26b of the bomb door, as indicated in Fig. 5, so that the open aft endof the tubular door 20 is free of any obstructions.

As will be observed in Fig. 3,.when the actuators 33, 34 are extended,to lower the aft end of the bomb door, the housing pivots about the pin24. 'I'he aft end of the door therefore moves through an arcuate path,and to accommodate such movement the links 31, 32 are connected to thearms 29, 30 and to the door 20 by suitable means 35 permitting a limiteduniversal movement of the links.

It should be noted that when the aft end of the bomb door 20 is in itslowered position, the lower forward portion of the door is spaced belowthe lower wall portion 17 of the aircraft fuselage. This results fromthe fact that the supporting pin 24 is positioned forwardly of theforward edge of the wal-l 21, and as will subsequently appear, thisfeature is an important aspect of the invention.

In the apparatus shown in Figs. 2-5, the bomb door 20 is provided with abottom structure 36 defining a flat upper surface upon which is mounteda. pair of spaced longitudinally disposed guide channels 37. Thechannels 37 open upwardly and are provided with short inturned fiangeportions dening a rtricted opening at the top of the channel. The upperwall of the bomb door is provided with channels 38, 39 orf-graduatedsizes, as is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 9. The channels 38, 39open downwardly and are also provided with inturned flanges definingrestricted openings. Y

The apparatus of Figs. 2-5 is adapted to receive six bombs or storescontainers, as indicated by the numeral 40. In accordance with theteachings of the invention, each of the bombs 40 is provided with a pairof mounting brackets of the type indicated at 4|1 in Fig. 12. Thebrackets 41 are generally in the form of circular clamps, being tightlysecured about the bomb by means of bolts 42, and having oppositelyextending lugs 43 lying in a plane approximately tangent to the bracket41. Each bomb 40 has a bracket 41 near each end thereof, and the lugs 43of both brackets lie in a common plane. The proper alignment of thebrackets 41 is insured by providing each bracket with one or more pinsof the type shown at 44 in Fig. 14, which are received in suitableopenings in the bomb casing.

In accordance with the invention, the bombs 40 are loaded into the bombdoor 2) by inserting the lugs 43 of the brackets 41 into the variouschannels provided therefor within the door. Thus, in the apparatus ofFigs.

ytainers 49 of medium-large size are received.

assura in which six bombs or stores containers are received, two bombsare inserted along each of the channels 37 at the bottom of the door,and in a like manner two bombs are received in the smaller one of thegraduated channels 38, 39 in the top wall of the door. The bombs arethus compactly arranged within the door 20, occupying a minimum of spacewithin the aircraft 10, and the arrangement is such that the pluralityof longitudinal rows of bombs are spaced from each other, permitting anybomb to slide freely along its channel without interferonce from a bombof another row.

As indicated in Fig. 12, when the aft end of the bomb door 20 is in itslowered position, the various channels form inclined ways along whichthe bombs 40 may slide to eifect the discharge of the bombs from theopen aft end of the door. In this respect, the lugs 43 guide and confinethe bombs 40 as they move longitudinally along the channels, and untilthey are clear of the door 20. -As abornb or container 40 emerges fromthe lower end of the door 20, the lugs 43 of the bracket 41 at the Yprojecting end will become free of the guide channels.

At'the same time, the end of the bombwill enter the air stream and maybe buifeted somewhat thereby. Accordingly, as illustrated inthe'enlarged view of Fig. 13,'. the lugs 43 have arcuate contours toavoid grabbing inthe channels 37,. 38 as the bombs emerge from the door.Z0. Alternately, modified mounting brackets 4i .(Fg. 14) may be providedfor the bombs in which suitable rollers 45` are employed in place of thelugs 43. The rollers 45 are also desirable in certain cases since theyprovide for a more friction-free movement of the bombsr 40 in theirguiding channels.

When av bomb 40 has been discharged from the door 20, the brackets 41may undesirably effect the rate or direction of fall, and, accordingly,it is desirable that the brackets 41 be removed from the bomb as soon aspossible after its discharge from the door 2d. Thus, in accordance withthe invention, each of the brackets 41 issecured to itsV bomb 40 bymeans of a volt 42 having an explosive charge 42 therein, as indicatedin Fig. 15.

The construction of the bolt 42 per se is not part of the present.invention. However, the invention contemplates that Vthe bolt 42 will beexploded in a suitable manner adapted togeiiect the explosion shortlyafter the bomb y is discharged from the door 20; When the explosivebolts 42 are discharged and severed, the brackets 41 are spread slightlyapart, andwill readily slide olf of the bomb 40 as indicated in Fig.12.'.

Explosive bolts of this type are available, for example, 'from Beckmanand Whitley Inc. of San Carlos, California. Bolts from this source arepyrotechnic in nature and are'arrangedto be detonated as a result of anelectric impulse.

Referring now to Figs. 6-11, there are shown slightly modifiedarrangements of the new apparatus, in which 'thegbomb door 20 is`adapted for the reception of bombs or stores containers of varioussizes. Thus, in Figs. 6 and: 8, the `door20 receives a single large bombor stores container 46 which occupies substantially the whole of theinterior space of the tubular door. The bomb 46 is provided with a pairof brackets 47 having lugs 48 at the top which are received in thelarger one of the graduated channels 38, 39 in the top of the door 20.In the apparatus of Figs. 6 and 8 the bottom structure 36 is lremoved toprovide additional clearance for the bottom portion of the bomb 46.

Y In the apparatus of Figs. 7 and 9, four bombs or con- In this form ofthe apparatus, the bottom structure 36 is employed, and the door 20supports a pair of longitudinally disposed channels 50. Each of thebombs 49 is provided lwith brackets 51 having lugs 52 at the bottomslidably received in the channel 50. The channels 38, 39 in the upperwall ofr the door 20 are unused in this modification.

AIn the modification of Figs. 10 and l1, fteen bombs or containers 53,of small size, are arranged in iivelongi tudinal rows of three each. Thebottom structure 36 is incorporated in the door 2t) and supports threeparallel longitudinally disposed channels 54. 'Ihe upper wall l26e ofthe Ihousing mounts an adaptor plate 55 having a pair of longitudinallydisposed channels 56 therein. Aswill be observed in Fig. 1l, threelongitudinally disposed rows of bombs 53 are held in the bottom channels54, while two such rows of bombs are held in the upper channels 56. I'hearrangement is highly compact, as will be readily apparent, and theseveral rows of bombs are all spaced sufficiently from each other toavoid any interference between bombs of different rows.

It will be readily understood that the various modifications shown inFigs. 2-11 afford a convenient and wholly practical arrangement enablingthe aircraft 10 to carry loads of various types. Thus, the bomb door 20may be quickly adapted to receive various types of loads as may bedesired under the circumstances.

Loading of bombs or stores into the door 20 may be advantageouslycarried out by disconnecting the door at its forward end and loweringthe forward end below the aircraft fuselage by means of a suitablehoist, such as shown in the Woollens et al. Patent No. 2,634,656, forexample. The aft end of the door may be lowered at the same time byappropriately energizing the fluid actuators 33, 34. The invention alsocontemplates that the door 20 may be bodily removed from the aircraftand replaced with a loaded door, so that the aircraft may be readied fora mission in a minimum of time.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the door 20 is loaded fromthe aft end, since the forward end is partly closed off by the frontwall 22.

After the bomb door 2t) is fully loaded, the actuators 33, 34 areretracted to draw the aft end of the door into the bomb bay enclosure 14of the aircraft, and tightly seal the bomb bay opening 16. In thiscondition, a minimum of resistance is oiiered to the high-speed flow ofair over the surface of the aircraft.

When the aircraft enters a bombing run, the actuators 33, 34 areenergized to extend, forcing the a-ft end of the door 2li) out into theairstream, so that the lower end thereof lies below the bottom wall ofthe aircraft fuselage. When the aft end of the door is moved downwardly,the front liange 21a is moved downwardly away from the front edge of thebomb bay opening 16. Accordingly, there is a small space between thefuselage wall 17 and the front edge of the bottom wall 21 of the door.When the aircraft is in high-speed iiight, air is caused to enterthrough the opening between the walls 17 and Z1, and this air flowsthrough and out of the aft end of the tubular door 2t). This minimizesany drag forces caused by the protruding bomb door 29, and at the sametime avoids excessive turbulence about the aft opening of the `door 2i).In addition, the ilow of air through thertubular door 20 urges the bombsor containers therein toward the open end, to assist in the rele-ase anddischarge of such bombs or containers at the desired time.

At the proper time during the `bombing run, the bombs may be released,`suitable means being provided for this purpose. When the bombs arereleased in their respective guiding channels, the force of gravity aswell asl the force of the air flowing through the door urges the bombslongitudinally in the channels toward the open end of the door. Thebombs quickly and easily slide yalong the channels and are dischargedthrough the open end of the door, below the bottom wall of the aircraftfuselage.

In some cases, it may be desirable to more forcibly discharge the bombso r containers from the door 20, and for this purpose an improvedarrangement of the type sho-wn in Figs. 10, 16 'and 17 may be employed.Referring initially to Figs. lr6 and 17, each of t-he guide channels inthe door 20 is provided with one or more (depending on .the number ofbombs held in-the channel'l ejecting. devices. 57. Each ejecting device,57 includes a pair of latches 58 pivoted on a block 59l and havingportions projecting upwardly into the channel at the rearward side ofthe bomb-engaging bracket 60. In their normal positions, the latches 58lie in obstructing relation to the bracket 60, and prevent rearwardmovement thereof in the channel. lThe latches 58 are normally held inobstructing positions by cams 62 rotatably supported on the block 59.When the cams 62 are rotated, the latches 58 are retracted downwardly bysuitable springs 63 so that the bomb is free to move rearwardly alongits guiding channel.

The ejection device 57 includes a relatively elongated tube 64- whichmovably receives a piston 65. A block 66 `is carried at the right-handend of the piston 65 and pivotally mounts a pawl 66' urged upwardly by aspring 67 and having a portion normally projecting into the channel onthe forward side of the bracket 60. The rearward face of the pawl 66' isgenerally vertical, while the forward face is -inclined at a relativelylarge angle to the vertical, the arrangement being such that the pawl 66may be depressed against the spring 67 by #an object moving to the rightand striking the inclined forward surface of the pawl.

At the forward end of the ejector device is an explosive charge 68adapted to be detonated by an electrical charge derived from a source69, upon closure of a switch 70. The switch 70 is operated by a suitablelever 71, which is also coupled with the cams 62. Accordingly, when thelever 71 is actuated, the cams 62 are rotated to eect withdrawal of thelatches 58 and at the same time the switch 't is closed to detonate theexplosive charge 68. The exploded charge 68 then drives the piston 65 tothe right, causing the pawl 66' to engage the forward edge of thebracket 60, rapidly accelerating the bomb 53. The bomb 53 is lthusrapidly and forcibly ejected from the bomb door 20.

As shown in Fig. l0, a single guide channel may include a plurality ofejection devices S7, each adapted to eject a single bomb from the door20. The rseparate ejection devices 57 may be actuated simultaneously orin sequence, starting with the rearwardmost device 57 and ending withthe forwardmost device. As heretofore memtioned, a bomb ejectedrearwardly from the forward end of the door 20 may freely pass over oneor more ejection devices positioned toward the rear of the housing,since the inclined forward surfaces of the pawls 66 permit any pawl tobe readily depressed by a bomb moving to the aft.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, the bomb door 20 has afront wall 22 closing the forward end of the door, except for a smallopening 27 along the lower edge of the wall. A suitable ejection device57 is mounted on the wall 22, in position to engage the forward end ofthe bomb, for discharging the bomb longitudinally of the door.

The present invention also contemplates that a suitable hydraulic,pneumatic, or mechanical system may be ernployed in place of theexplosive charge 68 to eject the bomb in the manner desired. Moreover,it is contemplated that suitable means be provided in desired cases forejecting the bombs rearwardly of the air craft at a speed relativethereto substantially equal to the ground speed of the aircraft. In thismanner, the actual ground speed of the bomb will be substantiallyvertical.

In desirable cases, self-.propelled weapons could be used, in whichevent the provision of ejection means is unnecessary, since the weaponsmay be fired rearwardly of the aircraft at a predetermined speed.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 18-20, a bomb door80 is pivoted at its forward end to a slide block S1. The block S1 issupported in the aircraft lby means of an actuator and linkage assembly82, similar to an assembly 83 which raises and lowers the aft end of thedoor in a manner heretofore described.

In its normal position, rthe slide block 81 is received 8 within thebomb bay 84 of the aircraft, being held in a raised position by thelinkage 82 and confined by guide means 85. When the apparatus is thusarranged, it is employed in a manner similar to the apparatus heretoforedescribed, and only the aft linkage 83 is actuated during bombing runs,with the bomb door pivoting about the rigidly held slide block 81.

Loading of bombs or stores with the modified apparatus may be easilycarried out by actuating both the fore and aft mechanisms 82 and 83, sothat the door is lowered bodily out of the bomb bay 84, intothe positionshown in Figs. 19 and 20. 'It is also contemplated that the modied bombdoor 86 may be detached from its supports and replaced by a pre-loadedinterchangeable door, where such procedure may be convenient ordesirable.

The apparatus of the present invention has advantageous application inconnection with modern high-speed aircraft, particularly those intendedto operate at supersonic speeds. The new bomb bay and door is such as toprovide a minimum resistance to the ilow of air when the bomb door is ineither its closed or open position. When the door is closed andretracted within the aircraft fuselage, an airtight seal is providedabout the bomb bay opening, and the smooth outer contours of thefuselage are substantially continuous. When the bomb door is open duringa bombing run, it is spaced only slightly from the fuselage at itsforward end and acts to deect the air outwardly with a minimumresistance to flow. Moreover, when the bomb door is open, a smallopening is provided at the forward end of the door to provide for the owof air therethrough. This acts to minimize turbulence at the aft end ofthe door, providing for a more satisfactory release of the bombs, and atthe same time reduces the drag lforces at the aflt end of the door.

In the new apparatus, the bomb door is of generally tubular form, sothat air ow may be properly channeled therethrough, and is arranged toreceive a concentrated load of bombs or stores occupying a practicalminimum of space within the aircraft. There is also provided a novelactuating mechanism for raising and lowering the aft end of the bombdoor, including arms 29, 30, links 31, 32 and actuators 33, 34. Theentire mechanism is housed wholly within the bomb bay enclosure and isoperative to move the aft end of 'the door through a substantial arc,while at the same time providing that the aft end of the housing is freeof obstruction when in the lowered position. l Y i One of the morespecific advantageous features of the invention is the use oflongitudinal channels and brackets for guiding and supportingthe bombsin the door 20. During normal flight, the bombs are held in place in thedoor 20 by means of the channel and brackets, and during the dischargeof the bombs the same channels and brackets serve to guide the bombs outof the open end of the doorV 20 in an orderly manner and without anytumbling ofthe bombs, which might otherwise occur during a high-speedbombing run. The brackets gripping the bombs are also provided withexplosive retaining bolts 42 whichl act on discharge of the bombs fromthe door 20 to free the brackets from the bomb, permitting the bomb tofall freely in the manner desired.

The new apparatus is extremely verstil'e,and may be readily adaptedwhere desired to provide means for forcibly ejecting the bombs from theopen ends of the door 2). With the improved ejector devicepone or aplurality of bombs or containers 'may be ejected'smultaneously or insequence from a single guide channel. By proper design the ejectordevices may be' arranged Vto eject the bombs or containers the rearwardvelocityI equal to 'the forward velocity of the aircraft so that thebombs descend vertically from the point of discharge. i

lt should be understood,V however, that the specific assenza .apparatusherein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only,as many changes may be made therein without departing from the clearteachings of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to thefollowing claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A precision retrobombing arrangement for an aircraft, said aircrafthaving a fuselage and a bomb bay disposed in the lower portion of saidfuselage substantially along a ventical plane passing through thecenterline of said aircraft, said fuselage having a lower wall surface,a bomb bay door capable of carrying bombs, closely fitted in said bombbay and having a lower wall complementary to the contour of and abuttingsaid lower wall surface of said fuselage, means pivotally supporting aforward portion of said door from a point forward of the forward end ofsaid door, and above said lower fuselage wall surface, means forlowering the aft end of said'door .when bombs are :to be dispersedtherefrom, said door, when said aft end has been lowered, causing saidforward edge to move below said lower fuselage wall surface so as todefine between said lower fuselage wall surface and said forward edge ofsaid door an opening for the influx of air, said door, when in a loweredposition, dening a passageway through which air entering said openingmay flow, and means on said door for guiding bombs longitudinally alongsaid door, for dispersal from the aft end of said door, the properdispersal of bombs from said door being aided by air flowingtherethrough.

2. The retrobombing arrangement recited in claim 1, furthercharacterized by said door having an upper wall I portion, said guidemeans comprising channels of graduated size formed in said upper wallportion and adapted to receive bomb-engaging means of different sizes.

3. The retrobombing arrangement recited in claim 1, furthercharacterized by said means for guiding bombs comprising at least onelongitudinally disposed channel on said door, and bomb-engaging meansslidably received in saidy channel.

4. The retrobombing arrangement recited in claim 1, furthercharacterized by said means for guiding bombs comprising bracketsslidably received in said channel and releasably engaging bombs disposedthereon.

5. A precision retrobornbing arrangement for an aircraft, said aircrafthaving a fuselage, and a bomb bay disposed in the lower portion of saidfuselage substantially along a vertical plane passing lthrough thecenterline of said aircraft, a bomb bay door, capable of carrying bombs,closely fitted in said bomb bay and having a lower wall complementary tothe contour of and abutting said lower wall surface of said fuselage,means pivotally supporting a forward portion of said door from a pointforward of the `forward end of said door, and above said lower fuselagewall surface, means to lower the aft end of said door when bombs are tobe dispersedY therefrom, said door, when said .aft end has been lowered,causing said forward edge to move below said lower fuselage wall surfaceso as to `define between said lower fuselage wall surface and saidforward edge of said door an opening for the influx of air, said door,

in said channel for engaging bombs to be dispersed, and

ejection means adapted to urge said bomb-engaging means along saidchannel toward the aft end of said door, the proper dispersal of bombsfrom said door being aided by air ilowing therethrough.

6. The retrobombing arrangement recited in claim 5, furthercharacterized by said ejection means comprising a cylinder, a pistonmovable in said cylinder, a pawl carried by said piston and adapted toengage said bombengaging means, abutment means obstructing movement ofsaid bomb-engaging means in the dispersal direction, means to withdrawsaid .abutment means from said bombengaging means when dispersal isdesired, and means for driving said piston in said cylinder in thedispersal direction to eject said bombs.

7. The retrobombing arrangement recited-in claim 5, furthercharacterized by said door being of generally tubular configuration,with said means for lowering the aft end of said door comprising a pairof arms, and means for operating said arms to raise yand lower said aftend of said door.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,621,654 Boos Mar. 22, 1927 1,720,846 Mather July 16, 1929 2,374,885Nichols May l, 1945 2,381,332 Boldt Aug. 7, 1945 2,395,547 HojnowskiFeb. 26, 1946 2,506,976 Tharratt May 9, 1950 2,608,132 Lauritsen Aug.26, 1952 2,709,947 Woods June 7, 1955 2,749,064 Kuhlman June 5, 19562,786,392 Niedling Mar. 26, 1957 2,792,755 Lahde May 21, 1957

